Librarian's Guide to Passive Programming

Wichman, Emily T. (2012). Librarian's Guide to Passive Programming: Easy and Affordable Activities for All Ages. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-59884-895-3.

Librarian's Guide to Passive Programming: Easy and Affordable Activities for All Ages presents plans for 32 passive programs designed to capture the attention of library patrons. Each chapter—which contains programs grouped thematically—details the steps necessary to reproduce the programs, and includes supporting handouts, activities, and photographs. This helpful guide also examines what passive programming is, why passive programming is relevant, and offers strategies across all aspects of its implementation—from developing program ideas to evaluating program success.

Features:

• Step-by-step instructions for more than 30 individual programs
• Lists of supplies and resources needed for program implementation
• Alternative approaches for how to adapt the program for in-house or online use
• Strategies for developing, marketing, and evaluating passive programs

Highlights:

• Includes activities for promoting patrons' interest in—and use of—the library
• Details the steps necessary to reproduce the programs
• Provides tips for developing program ideas
• Reveals ways to stretch programming dollars and staff resources

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DIY Programming and Book Displays

Struckmeye, Amanda Moss and Hetzler, Svetha.  (2010). DIY Programming and Book Displays: How to Stretch Your Programming without Stretching Your Budget and Staff. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-59884-472-6.

Organized around 12 thematic chapters, the book explains how to set up and maintain a do-it-yourself station and offers instructions for a variety of year activities. Reproducible materials and booklists are included as well. Librarians may use the activities as starting points for generating their own ideas or they may simply photocopy materials in the book for ready-to-use, monthly DIY programming. Once set up, the DYI station is available to patrons anytime they are in the library. Best of all, because DIY programs do not rely on staff, space, or special materials, they allow libraries to make the most of their resources without sacrificing patron service.

Features:

• Month-by-month organization, with two programs per month
• Plenty of reproducibles to help librarians get DIY stations up and running in no time
• Photographs or illustrations beginning each chapter
• A thematic, annotated booklist for each chapter

Highlights:

• Offers a one-stop guide to simple, easy, and affordable library activities for children, 'tweens, teens, and families
• Provides flexible, monthly themes as starting points for librarians who can vary the themes—or not—as they wish
• Contains virtually everything a librarian needs to get started, without costly materials or elaborate instructions
• Suggests activities and displays that can each be adapted to various ages

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The Newbery & Caldecott Awards

Association for Library Services to Children. (2015). The Newbery & Caldecott Awards: A Guide to the Medal and Honor Books, 2015 Edition. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. 978-0-8389-1326-0.

Updated with the 2015 award and honor books, this perennial favorite gathers together the books deemed most distinguished in American children's literature and illustration since the inception of the renowned prizes. Librarians and teachers everywhere rely on this guidebook for quick reference and collection development and also as a resource for curriculum links and readers' advisory. With an easy-to-use streamlined look and format, the 2015 guide features

• A new essay by Julie Danielson spotlighting recent noteworthy picture books published internationally
• Explanations of criteria used to select the winners
• Updated bibliographic citations and indexes for the award winners

This resource for locating information about the best in children's books is valuable for every collection.

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Intellectual Freedom Manual 9th Edition

Magi, Trina and Garner, Martin. (2015). Intellectual Freedom Manual, 9th Edition. Chicago, IL: ALA Editions. 978-0-8389-1292-8.

Since it was established in 1967, ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has championed the rights of library users to seek and receive information on all subjects from all points of view without restriction and without having the subject of one's interest examined or scrutinized by others. The new edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual is more than just an invaluable compendium of guiding principles and policies. It’s also an indispensable resource for day-to-day guidance on maintaining free and equal access to information for all people. Fortifying and emboldening professionals and students from across the library spectrum, this manual includes

• 34 ALA policy statements and documents, 17 new or updated for this edition, addressing patron behavior, internet use, copyright, exhibits, use of meeting spaces, and other common concerns
• At-a-glance lists summarizing key issues such as access, challenges and censorship, access by minors to controversial materials, and advocacy
• Explanations of legal points in clear, easy-to-understand language, alongside case citations
• Numerous checklists to help readers stay organized
• A glossary and selected bibliography

This must-have tool will help librarians ensure that institutions of all kinds remain beacons of intellectual freedom.